H*4971 (Rat #0525, Act #0391 of 1998) General Bill, By Wilkins, Harrison and Knotts
    A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-645 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF CERTAIN HEARINGS TO FOSTER PARENTS, PREADOPTIVE PARENTS, AND RELATIVES PROVIDING CARE OF A CHILD; BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-763 SO AS TO CLARIFY WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES WHEN IT MUST MAKE "REASONABLE EFFORTS" IN WORKING WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND TO FURTHER AUTHORIZE THE FAMILY COURT TO MAKE DETERMINATIONS AS TO WHEN REASONABLE EFFORTS MAY BE REQUIRED AND WHEN THEY MAY BE TERMINATED OR DISPENSED WITH; BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-768 SO AS TO PROVIDE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INITIATE, OR JOIN IN A PROCEEDING FOR, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-766, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERMANENCY PLANNING, SO AS TO REVISE THE STANDARD FOR RETURNING THE CHILD HOME AND TO INCLUDE IN THE FINDINGS THE STEPS THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN TO PROMOTE AND EXPEDITE THE ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD WHEN THE CHILD IS NOT RETURNED HOME; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1572, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE AS ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION, THE CHILD HAVING BEEN IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN OF THE LAST TWENTY-TWO MONTHS OR PHYSICAL ABUSE OF A CHILD HAVING RESULTED IN DEATH OR IN-PATIENT HOSPITALIZATION; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1642, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONS WITH WHOM A CHILD MAY NOT BE PLACED FOR FOSTER CARE, SO AS TO INCLUDE A FELONY DRUG-RELATED OFFENSE IN THE PROHIBITED CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROHIBITED CRIMINAL OFFENSES INCLUDE OFFENSES COMMITTED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS OR UDDER FEDERAL LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1670, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONS WHO MAY PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF A CHILD, SO AS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR A HEARING IF THE DEPARTMENT VIOLATES THIS SECTION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1895 RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE ADOPTION EXCHANGE, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT ONLY A "SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD" MAY BE REFERRED TO A REGIONAL OR NATIONAL ADOPTION EXCHANGE.-AMENDED TITLE
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04/07/98	House	Introduced and read first time HJ-415
04/07/98	House	Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-416
04/22/98	House	Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary HJ-48
04/23/98	House	Member(s) added as co-sponsor(s): Rep(s) Knotts HJ-12
04/28/98	House	Amended HJ-36
04/28/98	House	Read second time HJ-44
04/29/98	House	Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-16
04/30/98	Senate	Introduced and read first time SJ-11
04/30/98	Senate	Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-11
05/28/98	Senate	Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary SJ-17
06/02/98	Senate	Amended SJ-85
06/02/98	Senate	Read second time SJ-85
06/03/98	Senate	Read third time and returned to House with amendments
06/04/98	House	Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-25
06/10/98		Ratified R 525
06/15/98		Signed By Governor
06/23/98		Effective date 06/15/98
06/23/98		Copies available
06/30/98		Act No. 391